This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday will provide one of the fullest slates this season with 24 teams taking the court. Obviously, there will be plenty of players to choose from for your DFS lineups. Ahead, we will avoid the obvious plays by taking a look at some of the mid-level players who could potentially put up top-tier numbers. Also, we'll check in on a few players to avoid due to tough matchups.
GUARD
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. SAC ($28) - Outside of getting shut down in San Antonio, which happens to players regularly, Rubio has been rolling this month. Over his last five games specifically, he is averaging 40.5 fantasy points per game. Along with remarkable, yet unsurprising, 11.4 assists per game during that span, Rubio is putting up 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, and an impressive 2.0 triples in 33.2 minutes. He will welcome an advantageous matchup against Sacramento, who happens to be the worst defensive team in the league. Aside from giving up 109.2 points per game, 1.6 more than the next highest, they are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to point guards. While there is as stash of elite point guards going Wednesday, Rubio may be one of the best values at only $28.
Victor Oladipo, ORL at DET ($31) - Oladipo has played like a top-tier guard recently and is certainly playing his best basketball of the season. Over his last five games he is averaging 45.9 fantasy points per game. During that time frame he is filling up the stat sheet with 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 triples in 40.3 minutes per game. There is no reason to believe the Magic will not continue riding their hot hand in their matchup with the Pistons. Oladipo has faced off against Detroit one other time this season, putting up a solid 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and one triple in 34 minutes. Given his recent production, $31 is a very reasonable asking price.
Guard to Avoid
Jeff Teague, ATL at WAS ($22) - Teague has had a pretty inconsistent season, which resulted in trade speculation around the deadline. He will now match up against a Wizards squad that is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to point guards in the previous 10 games. That alone is enough to make him a risky play, but when you factor in how many other solid point guards are on Wednesday's slate, it becomes hard to justify going with Teague.
FORWARD
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs SAC ($26) - As previously mentioned, the Kings are the worst defensive team in the league this season. Therefore, it makes sense to target a few players matching up against them on any given night. Wiggins seems to be a pretty reasonable value at only $26, and he could very well outperform it. He has been playing well recently, averging 34.3 fantasy points per game over his previous eight. That is 5.1 more fantasy points per game than his season average. He has contributed more evenly among the stat sheet than usual during that span as well, averaging 22.3 points, 3.9 boards, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 threes in 37.0 minutes per game during that stretch. Finally, Sacramento is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season.
Derrick Favors, UTA at HOU ($28) - Favors does not tend to put up the flashiest lines, but he remains relatively consistent. He does sprinkle in some monster performances now and then, and this may very well be one of those games. Favors has scored at least 50 fantasy points twice in his last nine games, but has been quiet over his previous four. He should be due for another explosive performance against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Houston is giving up the fourth-most points per game this season, and giving up the more fantasy points to power forwards.
Forward to Avoid
Luol Deng, MIA at SAS ($22) - Deng has been quite impressive since he moved up to the power forward position in Chris Bosh's absence. However, he draws a terrible matchup Wednesday against a Spurs team coming off an unexpected loss to the Hornets. Not only are they giving up the fewest points per game this season, they are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to power forwards The Heat may be forced to go with a bigger lineup in order to avoid Deng matching up with LaMarcus Aldridge in the frontcourt. Even if they do that, Deng sliding down to small forward and facing up against Kawhi Leonard may be an even worse scenario. There are simply better options in his price range.
CENTER
Robin Lopez, NYK at CHI ($19) - In order to avoid sounding redundant, I'll venture away from Karl Anthony-Towns and his favorable matchup against the Kings. A center with a much cheaper price, but an equally as favorable matchup is Lopez, who will face a Bulls team allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to centers this season. While there are a lot of nice center plays on the board, Lopez has the potential to put up relatively close numbers at a much better value. Outside of two complete dud performances, he is putting up exceptional numbers in recent weeks. If you disregard his combined 12.9 fantasy points against the Warriors and Nuggets, Lopez is averaging 35.9 fantasy points per game since Mar. 4. He is also coming off a 51.0-fantasy-point performance when he had 23 points, 20 rebounds, one steal and two blocks. If you are spending heavily at other positions, Lopez may be a good route to go.
Center to Avoid
Greg Monroe, MIL at CLE ($22) - As previously mentioned, there are quite a few good center options but Monroe may be one to avoid. He will face a Cavaliers' defense that is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to centers this season. Monroe's output has slowed ever since the Bucks handed their offense over to Giannis Antetokounmpo after the All-Star break. Monroe is coming off a solid 37.5 fantasy points, but he is only averaging 24.7 over his last five, including that performance. Based on matchup, recent performance and other options, you should probably look elsewhere at center.
